Plum tree named ‘Suplum63’

ABSTRACT

The new variety of plum tree ‘Suplum63’ is characterized by a semi-upright habit, and by having fruit that is very large for a late season plum, with black skin, dark red firm flesh, a mildly sweet flavor, and a stone that is adherent to the flesh.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus salicina.

Variety denomination: ‘SUPLUM63’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of anew and distinct variety of plum tree, Prunus salicina ‘Suplum63’. Thenew variety was first originated by hybridization near Wasco, KernCounty, Calif. and identified in September 2016 by Terry A. Bacon andTerrence J. Frett as breeder number ‘PL1972RB’.

The seed parent is ‘Suplumfiftysix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,078), andthe pollen parent is ‘PL1396RB’ (unpatented breeding selection). Theparent varieties were first crossed in March 2013, the date of firstsowing being March 2014 and the date of first flowering being March2016. The new plum variety ‘Suplum63’ was first asexually propagated byTerry A. Bacon and Terrence J. Frett near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. inDecember 2016 by dormant grafting.

The new variety ‘Suplum63’ is a semi-upright tree characterized byhaving fruit that is very large for a late season plum, with black skin,dark red firm flesh, a mildly sweet flavor, and a stone that is adherentto the flesh.

The new variety ‘Suplum63’ is distinguished from its pollen parent,‘PL1396RB’ in that the fruit has dark red flesh compared to theyellow-red flesh of ‘PL1396RB’. Additionally, the fruit of the newvariety ripens about 47 days earlier than the fruit of ‘PL1396RB’.Further, the trees of the new variety ‘Suplum63’ have a semi-uprighthabit, while ‘PL1396RB’ trees have an upright habit.

The new variety ‘Suplum63’ resembles its seed parent ‘Suplumfiftysix’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,078) in that the fruit of both varieties havered flesh. However, the ripening of the fruit of the new variety‘Suplum63’ starts 22 days earlier than ‘Suplumfiftysix’. The new variety‘Suplum63’ also has a semi-upright habit, while ‘Suplumfiftysix’ has anupright habit

The new variety ‘Suplum63’ ripens late in the season like ‘Suplumsix’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,747). However, ripening of new variety ‘Suplum63’starts 17 days earlier, on August 16 compared to September 2 for‘Suplumsix’. Further, the fruit of the new variety ‘Suplum63’ has darkred flesh compared to yellow flesh for ‘Suplumsix’.

The new variety ‘Suplum63’ ripens at the same time as ‘Black Kat’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 13,134). However, the fruit of the new variety ‘Suplum63’has dark red flesh compared to yellow flesh for the fruit of ‘BlackKat’. Additionally, bloom starts 23 days earlier for the new variety‘Suplum63’ than for ‘Black Kat’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplum63’ has red flesh like the fruit of‘Suplumeleven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,902). However, the new variety‘Suplum63’ is distinguished from ‘Suplumeleven’ in that its fruit hasdark red flesh compared to light red flesh for ‘Suplumeleven’. Further,ripening of the fruit of the new variety ‘Suplum63’ starts about 41 dayslater than for ‘Suplumeleven’.

The new variety ‘Suplum63’ has been shown to maintain its distinguishingcharacteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example,cuttings and grafting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration, FIG. 1, shows typicalspecimens of the foliage and fruit of the plum variety ‘Suplum63’. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves andexterior and sectional views of the fruit. The photographic illustrationwas taken shortly after the fruit was picked and the colors are asnearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of thistype.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to three-year-old‘Suplum63’ trees grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif.during 2021 and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grownunder similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on three-year-old trees unless    otherwise noted).    -   -   Size.—Medium: reaches a height of approximately 3 meters            with normal pruning.        -   Habit.—Semi-upright.        -   Vigor.—Strong. Top shoot growth of 1.5 meter during the            growing season.        -   Productivity.—Very productive, about 700 25 lb cartons per            acre. Fruit set is usually two or more times desired amount            for marketable size fruit. Thinning and spacing of fruit is            necessary.        -   Bearer.—On spurs and long shoots.        -   Fertility.—Self-incompatible; requires pollinator.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.            Winter chilling requirement is approximately 400 hours at or            below 7.2° C.        -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—Under close observation            in Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease            resistance/susceptibility has been observed.        -   Insect resistance/susceptibility.—Under close observation in            Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit insect            resistance/susceptibility has been observed.-   Trunk: (Measurements taken at approximately 30 cm above soil line on    mature tree).    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 13 cm.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increasing with age of tree.        -   Trunk color.—About Medium Greyed-Green 198B with highlights            of Dark Greyed-Orange 166A, becoming darker with age.-   Branches: (Measurements taken at approximately 90 cm above soil    line).    -   -   Size.—Diameter approximately 10 cm.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increasing with age.        -   Color.—About Dark Grey 201B with highlights of Medium            Grey-Brown 199B, becoming darker with age.        -   Lenticels.—Present.        -   Lenticels density.—Plentiful, about 50/cm².        -   Lenticels color.—About Medium Greyed-Green 197C.        -   Lenticels dimensions.—Length: approximately 1-3 mm. Width:            approximately 0.5 mm.-   One year old shoots: (Data taken in September at mid-point of    current-season growth).    -   -   Size.—Average diameter approximately 7 mm.        -   Topside color.—About Dark Green 139A, becoming Medium            Greyed-Orange 166B by September.        -   Underside color.—About Dark Green 139A, becoming Medium            Greyed-Orange 166B by September.        -   Internode length.—Approximately 1-3 cm, average 2 cm. Midway            on shoot.        -   Lenticels color.—About Medium Greyed-Green 197C.        -   Lenticels size.—Very small, difficult to see, about 0.2 mm            diameter.        -   Lenticels density.—Medium.        -   Spur length.—Medium, usually 8 mm.        -   Anthocyanin intensity on upper side of shoot.—Medium.-   Vegetative buds:    -   -   Position of vegetative bud in relation to shoot.—Slightly            held out.        -   Size.—Medium, approximately 1.7 mm wide×2.7 mm long.        -   Shape.—Ovoid.        -   Bud shape at apex.—Obtuse.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Ovoid.        -   Dimensions.—Approximately 1.1 mm wide×2 mm long.        -   Color.—About Medium Greyed-Orange 177B.        -   Distribution.—2-6 buds, generally on spurs and one-year old            shoots.        -   Ratio of flowering buds to vegetative buds.—2-6 flower buds            to 1 vegetative bud.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in July on fully expanded leaves at mid-point of    the current season growth).    -   -   Average length.—Medium; approximately 11 cm without petiole.        -   Average width.—Medium; approximately 5.5 cm.        -   Length/width ratio.—Moderately elongated; about 2:1.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Color.—Upper surface: About Dark Green 139A. Lower surface:            About Medium Green 136C.        -   Glossiness of upper side.—Medium.        -   Angle at apex (excluding tip).—Acute.        -   Shape of base.—Acuminate.        -   Vein color.—About Light Green 139D with highlights of Medium            Greyed-Orange 176C where exposed to sun.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth on both upper and lower surfaces.        -   Shape in the cross section.—Concave.        -   Profile.—Up folded.        -   Leaf blade tip.—Curved downwardly.        -   Undulation of margin.—Slight.        -   Density of pubescence of lower side.—Absent or very sparse.        -   Incisions of margin.—Bi-crenate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Average length.—Long, approximately 15 mm.        -   Average diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Light Green 139D with highlights of Medium            Greyed-Orange 176C where exposed to sun.-   Stipules:    -   -   Number/leaf bud.—Usually one.        -   Typical length.—Approximately 6 mm.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A when dried.        -   Persistence.—Falls off.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Average number and arrangement.—2-4, alternating.            Predominately on petiole and occasionally on lower leaf.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Greyed-Yellow 162A becoming Dark            Greyed-Orange 166A over time.

FLOWERS

-   General:    -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Medium for the San Joaquin            Valley, Calif.        -   Flower blooming period.—First bloom: Approximately February            21 in Wasco, Calif. Full bloom: Approximately February 25 in            Wasco, Calif.        -   Location of first bloom.—Lower third of tree canopy.        -   Location of full bloom.—Central part of the tree canopy.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days.        -   Flower diameter.—Medium, approximately 25 mm.        -   Flower form.—Non-Showy.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Long, approximately 12 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.2 mm.        -   Color.—About Light Green 138C.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.-   Petals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Arrangement.—Slightly overlapping.        -   Color.—About White 155A.        -   Length.—Medium, approximately 10 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 7 mm.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Undulation of margins.—Medium.        -   Frequency of flowers with double petals.—None.        -   Claw.—Absent.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Length.—Approximately 4 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Shape.—Triangular.        -   Color.—About Light Green 138C.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Margins.—Undulating.        -   Positioning.—Adpressed to petals.        -   Frequency of flowers with double sepals.—None.-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—About 22-28; usually 25.        -   Average length.—Variable, ranging from 3 mm to 10 mm.        -   Filament color.—About White 155A.        -   Flower pollen color.—About Light Yellow-Orange 18A.        -   Position.—Perigynous.-   Pistil:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 3-4 mm.        -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 2.2 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Stigma extension in comparison to anthers.—Usually below.        -   Frequency of supplementary pistils.—Rare.-   Receptical:    -   -   Depth.—Medium, approximately 4 mm.        -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.        -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.

FRUIT

-   General: (Description taken at firm-mature near Wasco, Kern County,    Calif.).-   Ripening:    -   -   Time of beginning of fruit ripening.—Late season.        -   Date of first pick.—Approximately August 16.        -   Date of last pick.—Approximately August 26.-   Size:    -   -   Height.—Tall, approximately 70 mm.        -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 70 mm.        -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Broad, approximately            70 mm.        -   Average weight.—Very large, approximately 170 g.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length of stem.—Short, approximately 7 mm.        -   Diameter of stem.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Color of sent.—About Light Green 139D.-   Shape:    -   -   Viewed from apex.—Circular.        -   Viewed in-line with suture.—Circular.        -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Circular.        -   Symmetry.—Symmetric or slightly asymmetric.        -   Shape of base.—Depressed.        -   Shape of apex.—Rounded.-   Fruit stem cavity:    -   -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Shallow; Approximately 7 mm.        -   Width of stalk cavity.—Medium; Approximately 11 mm.        -   Depth of suture.—Absent or very shallow.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium, typical of most varieties.        -   Flavor.—Mildly tart.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Strong.        -   Surface texture.—Slight rippled.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Bloom on skin.—Medium.        -   Ground color.—Not visible.        -   Overcolor.—About fully Black 202A.        -   Relative area of overcolor.—Whole surface.        -   Pattern of overcolor.—Solid.        -   Reticulation.—Present.        -   Tendency to crack.—Rare.        -   Number of lenticels.—Medium, about 10/cm².        -   Size of lenticels.—Very small, approximately 0.2 mm.-   Flesh at firm-mature harvest stage:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Crisp-juicy.        -   Flavor.—Mildly sweet, medium acid, about 38 Brix:Acid.        -   Color.—About Dark Red 60A.        -   Firmness.—Firm; typically 10 lb pressure at harvest.        -   Juice.—Medium, able to squeeze free juice easily.        -   Acidity.—Medium; 0.47% titratable acidity.        -   Sweetness.—High; about 18% Brix at harvest.        -   Adherence to stone.—Adherent.        -   Amount of fiber.—Medium.-   Fruit use: Fresh market.-   Fruit shipping and keeping characteristics: Excellent storage and    shipping quality for 6 weeks without shrivel or softening.-   Stone:    -   -   Stone freeness.—Cling.        -   Stone size.—Size: Medium. Length: Approximately 28 mm.            Diameter in line with suture plan: Approximately 18 mm.            Diameter perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately 7 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Greyed-Orange 170B when dried.        -   Position of maximum diameter.—Middle.        -   Shape from lateral view.—Medium elliptic.        -   Shape from ventral view.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Shape from basal view.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Base shape.—Nearly straight.        -   Apex shape.—Pointed.        -   Stone ridges.—Rounded throughout.        -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Partially developed.        -   Ventrical edge.—Thin with slight wing throughout.        -   Dorsal edge.—Narrow, shallow grooves throughout.        -   Fibers.—Not visible.        -   Symmetry in lateral view.—Symmetrical or slightly            asymmetrical.        -   Texture of lateral surface.—Slightly rough.        -   Width of stalk-end.—Medium.        -   Tendency to split.—Rare.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree named‘Suplum63’ as herein described and illustrated.